Sneijder strike sinks Japan

Wesley Sneijder scored the only goal as the Netherlands defeated Japan in Durban to become the first team to reach the last 16 after Denmark came from behind to beat Cameroon in the late match.

In a game in which chances were at a premium until late on, it took a 53rd-minute shot from outside the area from the FC Internazionale Milano playmaker to earn the Oranje a second successive victory after they began the FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 success against Denmark.

Save for a speculative overhead kick from Dirk Kuyt and a drive just wide from Japan's Yuto Nagatomo, the only other highlight of a tense first half was a terrific piece of skill from Yoshito Okubo which left Netherlands defender Gregory van der Wiel as bamboozled as Sweden's Jan Olsson had been when outwitted by Johan Cruyff in similar style at the 1974 World Cup.

The Dutch were more determined after the break, however, and broke the deadlock when Eiji Kawashima failed to keep out Sneijder's powerful drive from Robin van Persie's pass after the Japan defence had failed to deal with a routine cross into the area.

As they had been against Denmark, the Netherlands were energised by the arrival of Eljero Elia. The winger almost created a goal for a fellow substitute in the 85th minute, although Ibrahim Afellay never had full control of the ball after charging into the area and Kawashima was able to save.

The goalkeeper denied Afellay, played in by another replacement, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, again with another smart save soon after but the Netherlands' work was done and they will look to make it three wins from three when they meet eliminated Cameroon in their final group game next Thursday.